The Miami Heat signed forward J’Vonne Hadley on Thursday, including one other younger frontcourt possibility after his productive Summer season League with the group. Miami didn’t disclose the phrases of the deal.
Hadley began all eight of his Summer season League appearances between the California Basic in San Francisco and the NBA 2K26 Summer season League in Las Vegas, averaging 5.6 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks whereas capturing 42.4% from the sphere and 88.9% from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-6 ahead confirmed his rebounding worth through the summer time schedule, amassing a team-high 10 rebounds in opposition to Golden State on July 6 and 7 in opposition to Orlando on July 11. His 1.0 blocks per recreation additionally gave Miami extra defensive manufacturing from the ahead place.
Hadley spent the 2025-26 season at Louisville, the place he averaged 11.5 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 34 video games, together with 33 begins. He shot 56.2% from the sphere, 44.0% from three-point vary and 70.5% from the free-throw line whereas enjoying 28.0 minutes per recreation.
His Louisville season included 23 video games scoring in double figures, with a season-high 20 factors in opposition to Baylor on Feb. 14. Hadley additionally led Louisville in steals 10 occasions and rebounding eight occasions, whereas his teammates chosen him as one of many staff’s captains.
The signing provides one other participant able to contributing throughout a number of areas with out requiring a high-volume offensive position. Hadley’s faculty profession included 140 video games and 123 begins, with profession averages of 10.1 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals whereas capturing 53.2% from the sphere and 40.4% from three-point vary.
Hadley improved his perimeter capturing considerably in his last Louisville season. After making 38.1% of his three-point makes an attempt in 2024-25, he transformed 44.0% on 2.5 makes an attempt per recreation in 2025-26.
His addition comes throughout a serious reshaping of Miami’s roster. The Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in a blockbuster deal that despatched Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and a number of draft belongings to the Bucks.
Miami subsequently added Klay Thompson on a two-year, $11.5 million contract with a participant possibility for the second season, whereas additionally bringing in Nick Richards on a one-year deal to fill roster spot No. 14.
The Warmth completed 43-39 and tenth within the Japanese Convention final season earlier than dropping within the play-in event. The brand new roster is constructed round Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, with Hadley offering one other developmental frontcourt piece as Miami prepares for the 2026-27 season.
